The Fall of Bhishma: The Tenth Day of the Mahabharata War

Transcript of the episode audio. Speaker labels: Neev and his co-host.

Neev: Welcome back to Mythical Masala. I’m Neev. The war has been raging for days. But today… everything changes.

Co-host: Because one warrior who seemed unstoppable—

Neev: —will finally fall.

Co-host: And when he does… the battlefield will never feel the same again.

Neev: Let’s return to Kurukshetra.

Co-host: Oh and grab some tissues.

Neev: While the battlefield roared each day at Kurukshetra… back in the palace of Hastinapura, there was only silence.

Co-host: The kind where you can hear your own thoughts. Which is… not always helpful.

Neev: King Dhritarashtra sat waiting. Every day, warriors fell. Brave men on both sides. Sons. Fathers. Friends.

Co-host: Yeah, And every day, his own sons were among the fallen. Not easy to hear!

Neev: Dhritarashtra could not see the battlefield. So he depended on one man. Sanjaya.

Co-host: The only person giving him live updates. Without TV or Internet - Thanks to a boon - Though i wonder being able to see all the bad news feels more like a curse now!

Neev: Sanjaya narrated the battles in detail — who charged, who retreated, who stood firm, who fell. And after listening for days, Dhritarashtra finally snapped.

Co-host: Is that because his side is not doing well or just because he’s usually that way.

Dhritarashtra: “Sanjaya, you bring me nothing but bad news! Is there nothing that shows the Kauravas will win?”

Co-host: That’s not really how war reporting works. You get all the news - not selective.

Neev: Right! Sanjaya did not raise his voice. He did not soften the truth.

Sanjaya: “My king… how can I create good news when none exists?”

Co-host: Wellllll - i am sure you could be creative - but then it was the righteous Sanjaya - he’s not the one to manufacture lies.

Neev: Dhritarashtra mourned his sons. He grieved loudly.

Co-host: Let me guess. He did not blame himself. He blamed fate. He blamed destiny.

Neev: But Sanjaya would not let him escape that easily.

Sanjaya: “This war did not begin yesterday. You were warned — by Bhishma, by Drona, by Vidura. You knew your sons were wrong.”

Neev: Sanjaya reminded him that the Pandavas fought for justice. That the elders had advised peace again and again.

Co-host: Told you so!

Neev: haha!

Sanjaya: “What is the use of mourning now, when Vidura’s words are coming true?”

Neev: Dhritarashtra sat in silence. Sulking. Reflecting.

Neev: The war did not slow down. It did not pause to breathe. Day after day, warriors fell. Some were famous. Some were barely known.

Co-host: But each one mattered to someone.

Neev: The ten sons of Satyaki were killed.

Co-host: Ten! How many did he have? Though some sources say he only had one.

Neev: Virata’s third son, Sanga, fell in battle.

Co-host: Oh no!

Neev: Duryodhana himself was wounded by Bhima — but rescued just in time by Kripacharya.

Co-host: So even the main characters aren’t untouchable.

Neev: Not at all. And Bhima kept his vow. One by one, he struck down Dhritarashtra’s sons that is Duryodhana’s brothers

Co-host: That vow from the dice hall? Still echoing.

Neev: Very much.

Neev: Across the field, rivalries continued. Drona and Dhrishtadyumna clashed whenever they could find each other.

Co-host: These two definitely have animosity.

Neev: Bhishma moved like a force of nature. Arjuna, Abhimanyu, Ghatotkacha — their banners visible everywhere. Even Iravan, Arjuna’s son by his Naga wife, entered the fight. And he, too, fell.

Co-host: That was quick! That’s… a lot of sons dying.

Neev: Yes. This was not a small war. It was unlike anything the world had seen before. Kingdom after kingdom had sent warriors. Chariots collided. Elephants crashed into enemy ranks. Horses screamed. Bows twanged. The ground shook.

Co-host: We can’t show you the cinematic slow mo version. But real wars are not like that. It’s loud. It’s chaotic. It’s dust and confusion.

Neev: Exactly. Teacher fought student. Uncle fought nephew. Cousins aimed arrows at cousins.

Co-host: Blood ties meant nothing once the conches sounded.

Neev: Sometimes the Pandavas gained ground. Sometimes the Kauravas pushed back. Sometimes a hero triumphed. Sometimes that same hero fell.

Co-host: So there’s no clear “winning music” yet. Almost evenly matched!

Neev: Right. Just exhaustion. Just loss.

Co-host: And vows being fulfilled.

Neev: And through it all… One warrior still stood. Still leading. Still unstoppable.

Co-host: Bhishma.

Neev: Yes. And the Pandavas were beginning to understand something difficult. This war could not be won until he was brought down.

Neev: By the ninth day, something had become painfully clear. As long as Bhishma stood on the battlefield… Duryodhana still had hope.

Co-host: One warrior. Holding up an entire army.

Neev: Yes. Bhishma moved through the battlefield like a blazing fire. And that day, even Arjuna felt it.

Neev: Arjuna chased after him, arrows flying, trying to slow him down. And this time, he made a promise.

Arjuna: “I will fight with my full strength.”

Co-host: Finally. Took you nine days to figure that out?

Neev: But strength alone wasn’t enough. That evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, Yudhishthira did something unexpected.

Co-host: Again? Another walk across enemy lines?

Neev: Not quite. He turned to Krishna.

Yudhishthira: “How can we win this war? Is there any way to defeat Bhishma?”

Co-host: That’s THE question of the hour, isnt it.

Neev: Krishna was pleased. Because sometimes, wisdom is knowing when to ask. So that night, the five Pandavas — with Krishna — went to Bhishma’s tent.

Co-host: So they did walk across enemy lines.

Neev: They stood before their grandfather. The very man they were trying to defeat. And they asked him… how to defeat him.

Co-host: That’s either extremely brave… or extremely awkward. “Grandpa, can you tell us how we can kill you”

Neev: Bhishma listened. Then he spoke calmly.

Bhishma: “No one can kill me. Not Indra. Not any demigod.”

Co-host:

Confidence level: extremely high. Special powers!

Neev: But then he continued.

Bhishma: “There is only one way. If I lay down my bow myself. And I will never do that… unless I face a woman. Or one who was once a woman.”

Co-host: Is that a hint! It is a big hint!

Neev: Yes, There was one warrior who fit that condition. Shikhandi, child of Drupada. Born a daughter. Raised as a son. And carrying a vow against Bhishma.

Co-host: Right! Shikhandin was Amba - the eldest of three sisters who Bhishma carried away to marry prince Vichitravariya. But she loved someone else, so Bhishma set her free. But she was rejected. You can listen to Season 2 episode 3 for full deets on how Amba was reborn as Shikandin. So if Shikhandi who’s born a woman, stands in front…

Neev: Bhishma will not fight back.

Co-host: And if Arjuna shoots from behind Shikhandi…

Bhishma: “Only Arjuna can defeat me.”

Neev: The Pandavas bowed. They thanked their grandfather. And returned to camp.

Co-host: So the plan was given… by the man who would fall.

Neev: Yes. Meanwhile, in the Kaurava camp, Duryodhana knew that Bhishma would not strike Shikhandi. He himself had told Duryodhana the truth at the start of the war.

Co-host: It is said that Duryodhana likely knew of the Pandavas visit. So he’s going to be careful.

Duryodhana: “Keep Shikhandi away from Bhishma Pitamah!”

Neev: Orders were given. Lines were redrawn. And the tenth day approached.

Neev: The tenth day dawned. Both armies knew something was different. This was no ordinary charge.

Co-host: This was going to be a big day.

Neev: The Pandavas placed Shikhandi at the very front of their formation. Behind him stood Arjuna. And beside Arjuna — Bhima. Across the field, Bhishma led the Kaurava army. Duryodhana had already given orders.

Neev: Warriors rushed forward to block him. Chariots swerved. Elephants shifted ranks. But the Pandavas pushed through.

Co-host: So the plan wasn’t really a secret. So will it work?

Neev: Yes. Everyone knew. And everyone knew why. Shikhandi rode straight toward Bhishma. He released his arrows. They struck. But Bhishma did not lift his bow.

Bhishma: “You were born a woman. I will not fight you.”

Co-host: Well this one’s like a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Neev: Arjuna stepped forward.

Arjuna: “Shikhandi — continue!” And from behind Shikhandi’s shield… Arjuna drew the Gandiva. Arrow after arrow flew. They shattered Bhishma’s bow. They pierced his armor. They struck his chest, arms, legs. Still he stood. Bhishma hurled darts toward Arjuna. Arjuna broke them mid-air. More warriors joined. The sky darkened with arrows. Bhishma’s body was covered — every inch struck.

Co-host: How is he still standing?

Neev: Because he carried a boon. Bhishma could choose the moment of his death. He had been granted the power to leave his body only when he wished. And now… He knew.

Bhishma: “The time has come.” A breeze moved across the battlefield. The sound of conches echoed. Some say the gods themselves watched.

Co-host: He can choose the moment of his death? What does that mean?

Neev: Bhishma let his bow fall. And at last… The great warrior collapsed from his chariot. But he did not touch the ground. The arrows holding his body upright formed a bed beneath him. A bed of arrows.

Co-host: A bed of arrows? He didn’t fall to the earth? That would be extremely painful though.

Neev: His head faced east. The sun was not yet in its most auspicious course. So Bhishma did something extraordinary. He chose not to die.

Co-host: HUH???

Neev: Not yet. He would wait. The battlefield froze. Both armies stopped fighting. For the first time in ten days… There was silence.

Co-host: The unstoppable warrior had fallen. But still alive!

Neev: The Kauravas were overcome with grief. The Pandavas lowered their weapons. On the battlefield, lying upon a bed of arrows, was Bhishma.

Co-host: The man who had led them for generations - the oldest of them all - he’s been part of this epic from the very beginning.

Neev: Bhishma looked around calmly. Then he spoke.

Bhishma: “I need a pillow for my head.”

Co-host: Yes, please! He’s already rest on a bed of very pointing things! Tell me again - why couldn’t they just pick the arrows out?

Neev: A soldier hurried forward with a soft cushion. Bhishma smiled faintly.

Bhishma: “O Dhananjaya… this is not the pillow I want.”

Co-host: Hmm, maybe he wants a tempur-pedic? Battlefield standards are… different.

Neev: Arjuna understood immediately. Tears filled his eyes. He lifted his bow. And shot three arrows into the earth. They rose, firm and steady, forming a support for Bhishma’s head.

Co-host: OKKK - that’s would not have been my guess

Bhishma: “You have given me a pillow fit for a warrior.”

Neev: Then Bhishma said he was thirsty.

Co-host: OK now he’s starting to be demanding! Arjuna - please do the honors

Neev: Arjuna once again lifted his bow. He shot an arrow into the ground. From the earth sprang a stream of water — clear and pure. It is said the river Ganga, Bhishma’s mother herself, rose to give her son a final drink.

Co-host: I am sure the Kauravas are not happy!

Neev: Even as he lay on the arrows, Bhishma continued to advise. He turned to Duryodhana.

Bhishma: “Make peace. End this war.”

Co-host: That seems like solid advice. But now Kauravas would be even more unhappy! They don’t like good advice!

Neev: It fell on deaf ears. Duryodhana would not listen.

Co-host: Of course! Not surprising!

Neev: Later, Karna approached. He bowed before Bhishma — as the son of Radha.

Co-host: Wait - who’s Radha? Did he just make that up? Did he confuse Bhishma with Dhritrashtra. Dude! Grandpa knows who you are!

Neev: Bhishma lifted one arm to embrace him.

Bhishma: “Karna… I know who you truly are.” He revealed that he knew Karna was the son of Kunti and Surya. He had learned it long ago. He bore no anger toward him. He wished Karna had stood with his brothers.

Co-host: Another chance to change sides. It’s a hint

Neev: But Karna shook his head. He would not betray Duryodhana. Even if it cost him his life. Bhishma did not argue. He blessed him. And one by one, the warriors departed. The tenth day ended with the fall of the greatest elder of the Kuru dynasty.

Neev: Bhishma lay on his bed of arrows — waiting. The war was far from over. But something had changed. An era had ended. Neev): That’s where we’ll pause today.

Co-host: The war hasn’t ended. But our episode has to.

Neev: With Bhishma gone, new leaders will rise. Old rivalries will sharpen. And the battlefield will grow even more dangerous.

Co-host: Because sometimes when a giant falls… the ground shakes for everyone.

Neev: In the next episode, the war enters a new phase. And the cost of loyalty will grow heavier. Thanks for listening to Mythical Masala. We’ll see you next time… …as Kurukshetra marches on.